Facebook launches new "Messenger Kids" app

Dan Gutierrez

Called Messenger Kids, the app lets children safely message and video chat with their friends and family, and contains a kid-appropriate library of GIFs, stickers, and messages. In addition to the obvious early-branding strategy we've already mentioned, there's also the considerably less abstract feature that requires parents to sign up and maintain a regular Facebook account if they want to communicate/connect with and manage their children through Messenger Kids.

In classic Facebook form, we've heard nothing official about the source of the problems, or when they're expected to be fixed.

The app also taps into concerns parents have about their children being exposed to bullying and inappropriate content on the internet.

Kids said they want to use the platforms to have fun and connect with family. Like the main Facebook network, users can report content inside Messenger Kids. "Messenger Kids is also created to be compliant with the Children's Online Privacy and Protection Act (COPPA)", Facebook said. The parent account won't notified about the attempt though, nor will they get a message stating the child has unblocked someone. However, children's charity the NSPCC said it was a "step in the right direction" for providing children with safe places to contact friends and family.

While some users were not sure whether they were the only ones affected, others hilariously tweeted that Messenger going down means the end is quite near. But she said that while Facebook made the app "with the best of intentions", it's not yet known how people will actually use it.

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